Final GYPSY Performances to be Filmed?

Savvy BroadwayWorld.com visitors have noticed a new message up on Telecharge.com for those purchasings tickets to Gypsy's final performances.

The message reads: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: This performance of "Gypsy" may be filmed for future purposes. Please be advised that stationary and moving cameras may be placed throughout the theatre as we attempt to capture this historic production on film."

No further information was available at press time regarding filming. 

The award winning, critically acclaimed smash hit production of GYPSY will play its final performance at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the conclusion of Tony Award winner Patti LuPone's scheduled engagement. Directed by theatrical legend and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, GYPSY will have played 388 performances and 27 previews by the time it closes. The current production of the great American musical, which also stars Tony Award winners Boyd Gaines as "Herbie" and Laura Benanti as "Gypsy," began preview performances on Monday, March 3, 2008 and officially opened on Thursday, March 27, 2008.

"I know I speak on behalf of my partners when I say that this production has been one of the most gratifying endeavors of our professional careers. Legendary director Arthur Laurents assembled a superb company lead by the incomparable Patti LuPone. And, while we wish GYPSY could entertain us all much longer, it has become clear to us that there is no way to replace the irreplaceable" said Roger Berlind, lead producer of the show.

GYPSY was awarded three 2008 Tony Awards, one for each of the show's three stars: Patti LuPone (Leading Actress in a Musical), Laura Benanti (Best Featured Actress) and Boyd Gaines (Best Featured Actor). The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards in total, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Arthur Laurents), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Martin Pakledinaz) and Best Sound Design of a Musical (Dan Moses Schreier). In addition, GYPSY was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards (boasting wins for LuPone and Benanti), four Drama Desk Awards (including wins for LuPone, Gaines and Benanti) and three Drama League Awards including the "Distinguished Performance Award" for Patti LuPone.

Produced by Roger Berlind, The Routh o Frankel o Baruch o Viertel Group, Roy Furman, Debra Black, Ted Hartley, Roger Horchow, David Ian, Scott Rudin and Jack Viertel, GYPSY opened to rave reviews:

"There are times, thrilling and rare, when a show slaps the sense clean out of a critic and when the proper reaction is awe, delight and gratitude. This GYPSY is a stunner: an achievement that no one who loves musicals, no one who loves theater, no one at all should miss." - Adam Feldman, Time Out New York

"As directed by Arthur Laurents, this incarnation of GYPSY shines. Decades seem only to have sharpened Laurents' vision." - Ben Brantley, New York Times

"Patti LuPone is a laser. She incinerates. Watching her is a source of wonder, amusement and even pity and terror. A powerhouse performer." - Ben Brantley, New York Times

"In Patti LuPone, Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti, the musical has that radiant nucleus around which everything else coalesces into a parade of delights." - John Simon, Bloomberg

LuPone leads the cast in the role of "Rose," the quintessential stage mother, joined by multiple Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines (Journey's End) as "Herbie" and Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti (Into the Woods) as "Louise," the daughter who transforms into the title character of "Gypsy_Rose_Lee/">Gypsy Rose Lee." GYPSY also stars Leigh Ann Larkin as "Dainty June," Tony Yazbeck as "Tulsa," Marilyn Caskey as "Electra," Alison Fraser as "Tessie," Lenora Nemetz as "Mazeppa," Bill Bateman as "Mr. Goldstone," Jim Bracchitta as "Uncle Jocko," Sami Gayle as "Baby June," Katie Micha as "Baby Louise," Bill Raymond as "Pop," Brian Reddy as "Weber," and The ensemble of GYPSY features Beckley Andrews, Andrew Boyer, Nancy Renée Braun, Jacob Clemente, Kyrian Friedenberg, Matt Gibson, Sarah Marie Hicks, Steve Konopelski, Matthew Lobenhofer, Nicole Mangi, Matty Price, Lisa Rohinsky, Jaclyn Taylor Ruggiero, Jessica Rush, Alicia Sable, John Scacchetti, Geo Seery, Rider Quentin Stanton, Dorothy Stanley, Pearce Wegener and Emma Zacks.

The new production of GYPSY was based on the critically acclaimed New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production which enjoyed a triumphant three week run in July of 2007.

GYPSY, the musical fable suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy_Rose_Lee/">Gypsy Rose Lee, is written by three legendary theatrical giants. The book is by two-time Tony Award winning legend Arthur Laurents, with music by two-time Tony Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim. The 1959 blockbuster, originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, boasts a legendary score with such classic songs as "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Rose's Turn" and "Some People."

GYPSY features scenic designs by James Youmans, costumes by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Grease, Thoroughly Modern Millie), lighting by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Xanadu, Jersey Boys), hair by Tony Award winner Paul Huntley (Young Frankenstein, Grease) and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier (A Catered Affair, 110 in the Shade).

Tickets for GYPSY are $117.00 - $42.00 and are available through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com or by visiting the St. James Theatre box office. Premium seating is available. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Photo by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.